Applications for our 14th Annual Green Difference Awards!

Project Green Schools honors and recognizes Outstanding Energy, Environmental & STEAM Education efforts led in our Schools & Communities at our Annual Green Difference Awards.

Nominate a Green Difference Maker today in one of these categories:

Learn More and Apply! Application deadline: Friday, March 26, 2022 at 11:59PM EST

Project Green Schools is challenging schools across the country to develop and implement a meaningful outdoor classroom and learning space that awards one Grand Prize of $10,000 to further enhance an existing space or build a new space.

Schools will submit a formal write-up, proposed budget, and design of their outdoor learning classroom/space.

Project Green Schools will invite the top five designs to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges in Spring 2022 to determine the $10,000 winner.

Application Deadline: 11:59pm EST Friday, April 8, 2022. All U.S. based schools Pre-K – 12 are eligible to apply.

Learn more and download application requirements. Download program flyer.

Join Project Green Schools student Aubrey Organ's initiative, RINK REDEMPTION, as she works to increase awareness and decrease water waste throughout the game of hockey!

"Rink Redemption is an initiative that is working towards reducing water usage in homes and at rinks by providing environmental education. We created a pledge for people to take to reduce water usage at home, as well as hosting events and collecting donations to put back into the hockey community. Our goal with the funds raised is to establish more rinks similar to the Climate Pledge Arena that target sustainability as well as developing stewards of the Earth."

LEARN more about Rink Redemption, TAKE the Pledge, SUPPORT Aubrey's work, BUY a t-shirt.

Aubrey's work is sponsored by the Boston Bruins Foundation and Project Green Schools.

Join Project Green Schools and Rink Redemption for a night with the Providence Bruins! ! All kids, family members, and friends receive this exclusive discounted offer! Everyone's ticket for this event is just $22 per person. You will receive great LOWER LEVEL SEATS and all kids will receive a FREE P-BRUINS HAT! Also a portion of each ticket sold will go directly back to Project Green Schools (Rink Redemption)! Tuesday April 19th - Buy tickets now.

Project Green Schools is inviting you to engage your school in meaningful climate education and action by implementing “Race for the Planet” in your school or community.

Participants compete in energy and environmental games and challenges focusing on energy, water, waste, and sustainability, and have the option to raise funds to support a unique project goal to Green Up Your School/Community.

Hosting kits with instructions, challenge materials, videos for opening/closing ceremonies, marketing & fundraising materials, and medals to award will be made available to registered participants.

Running a fundraiser for your school or Green Team? Consider Boon Market, a marketplace of goods and now EXPERIENCES that do good—for you, your community, and the planet.

Choose from thousands of interactive online classes for just about anything. Learn about the penguins of South Africa or meet a real life shark scientist. Learn how to play the piano or take a class from a private chef. Learn & give back with Boon Supply's new experiential

Whether you’re passionate about reducing toxins at home, donating to your local school, or eliminating single use plastic, consider using Boon Supply for your fundraising needs. Organizations receive 40% back on every purchase made! Learn more and set up your fundraiser now!

February's Challenge Word from Planting the Seeds

Project Green Schools is honored to have our PGS Advisory Board Member, Jill Sylvester a licensed mental health counselor and author, providing monthly strategies and tips for our mental health.

1.) How might you elevate your life this month? Can you think in more positive ways? For example, changing your mindset from one of "I can't" to "I can"

2.) How might you elevate someone else's life this month? Can you notice sadness in someone else and perhaps offer a kind word or a listening ear?

3.) Decide one activity each day this month that helps you to elevate your life such as getting outside to exercise each day or simply take three deep breaths outdoors to remind yourself of all that is good in your life.

"The President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects developed by K-12 youth. The PEYA program promotes awareness of our nation's natural resources and encourages positive community involvement. Since 1971, the President of the United States has joined with EPA to recognize young people for protecting our nation's air, water, land, and ecology. It is one of the most important ways EPA and the Administration demonstrate commitment to environmental stewardship efforts created and conducted by our nation's youth."

Open to all 50 states and U.S. Territories/.

Application deadline is February 18th, 2022. Click to learn more.

Now is a great time to begin preparing for the 2021–22 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) application cycle by using resources and programs available on Green Strides. Review FAQs about all three award categories. Head to U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools for more information.  Deadline for Nominations: February 18th, 2022

The Director’s Award recognizes state education authorities’ exemplary efforts to administer ED-GRS. Annually, the Director’s Award goes to the state education official who does the most to advance sustainable education in his or her state. If you wish to nominate a state education official, please send your nomination letter to ed.green.ribbon.schools@ed.gov by March 1, 2022. Any state education official who is involved in implementing the ED-GRS award, and who has not previously won the Director’s Award, is eligible for nomination. Read about the work of past ED-GRS Director’s Award recipients. Nominations due March 1, 2022.

The 2021 State of Our Schools Report from the 21st Century School Fund, the International WELL Building Institute and the National Council on School Facilities compiles and analyzes the best available school district data regarding U.S. PK–12 public school facilities funding. In addition to drawing attention to the disparity across the U.S. in funding levels, it finds that the U.S. is underinvesting in school buildings and grounds by $85 billion each year.

These findings bring to light the proper financial support required for all children, in every district, to attend healthy and safe schools that provide the best learning environments and most resilient facilities. Read the full report.

Started by a family passionate about their community, The Trash Pirates are a kid-focused movement teaching children and their families about the affects of litter on our environment, as well as educational material about climate change. It is their hope to not only educate but empower kids to get involved and help clean up their own communities and the world.

Check out their website for resources on litter cleanups as well as printable worksheets about litter, our environment, and climate change topics.